The Promise and the Law

Scots Confession · 3.1–3.2

3.1. The Revelation of the Promise

For this we constantly believe: that God, after the fearful and horrible defection of man from his obedience, did seek Adam again, call upon him, rebuke his sin, convict him of the same, and in the end made unto him a most joyful promise: to wit, that the seed of the woman should break down the serpent's head—that is, he should destroy the works of the Devil. Which promise, as it was repeated and made more clear from time to time, so was it embraced with joy, and most constantly received of all the faithful, from Adam to Noah, from Noah to Abraham, from Abraham to David, and so forth to the incarnation of Christ Jesus: all (we mean the faithful fathers) under the law did see the joyful days of Christ Jesus, and did rejoice.

For discussion

  1. WCF 7.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
  2. SHC 3.2 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WCF 7.1 · SHC 3.2

3.2. The Continuance, Increase, and Preservation of the Kirk

We most constantly believe that God preserved, instructed, multiplied, honoured, decored, and from death called to life his kirk in all ages, from Adam, till the coming of Christ Jesus in the flesh. For Abraham he called from his father's country; him he instructed; his seed he multiplied; the same he marvelously preserved, and more marvelously delivered from the bondage and tyranny of Pharaoh; to them he gave his laws, constitutions, and ceremonies; them he possessed in the land of Canaan; to them, after Judges and after Saul, he gave David to be king, to whom he made promise, that of the fruit of his loins should one sit for ever upon his regal seat. To this same people, from time to time, he sent prophets to reduce them to the right way of their God, from the which often times they declined by idolatry. And albeit for their stubborn contempt of justice, he was compelled to give them in the hands of their enemies, as before was threatened by the mouth of Moses, insomuch that the holy city was destroyed, the temple burnt with fire, and the whole land left desolate the space of seventy years; yet of mercy did he reduce them again to Jerusalem, where the city and temple were reedified, and they, against all temptations and assaults of Satan, did abide till the Messiah came, according to the promise.

For discussion

  1. WCF 7.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
  2. IAR 5.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WCF 7.1 · IAR 5.1 · IAR 5.2 · IAR 5.3 · IAR 5.4 · IAR 5.5 · SHC 3.2